“Well, that’s news to me,” Dr. Bosworth replied. “I didn’t know that… I found out on national television.” She won 6% of the vote, placing fourth.

And then she was arrested.

South Dakota officials say Dr. Bosworth, a physician, signed oaths that she was gathering voter signatures in person in January when she was actually on a Christian mission trip in the Philippines. She has been charged with six counts of perjury and six counts of filing false documents related to election campaign law, according to the Associated Press.

Dr. Bosworth turned herself in to the authorities the morning after losing her Senate bid and was released shortly after. In a statement, she called the charges a “political prosecution.” She said she had hundreds more signatures than she needed to get on the ballot, and that they were collected in good faith.

The declining fortunes of Dr. Bosworth wrap up a tough run for the candidate. Dr. Bosworth had previously made national headlines — and drawn heavy criticism — for sharing a Facebook post that appeared to liken food-stamp recipients to wild animals. (She said the comparison was meant to be “tongue in cheek.”)

In her election-night interview on Fox News, Dr. Bosworth said she would support the Republican primary winner, former South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds, so that her party can send the current Senate leader, Democrat Harry Reid, “to the curb.”

About Washington Wire

Washington Wire is one of the oldest standing features in American journalism. Since the Wire launched on Sept. 20, 1940, the Journal has offered readers an informal look at the capital. Now online, the Wire provides a succession of glimpses at what’s happening behind hot stories and warnings of what to watch for in the days ahead. The Wire is led by Reid J. Epstein, with contributions from the rest of the bureau. Washington Wire now also includes Think Tank, our home for outside analysis from policy and political thinkers.